Wingstop franchise

Hassle-free business loans to start your Wingstop franchise.

Wingstop are a fast-food chain with an almost zen-like focus on serving high-quality, buffalo-style chicken wings to the legions of fans who love their unique and proprietary recipes. Yes, Wingstop also sell the usual sides, such as fries, onion rings and beer, but they really are the sideshow. This is a place where the chicken always comes first.

Wingstop business details

Established in Garland, Texas in 1994, and offering franchises since 1997, Wingstop became a publicly listed entity in 2015. Currently, they operate more than 1,700 restaurants across the US and have satellite stores in places as far away as London, UK. The company claims current growth of 30% per year, and average annual sales per outlet of more than $1,250,000.

Wingstop at a glance:

Stores: 1,700+
Required investor net worth: $1,200,000
Required investor liquid cash: $600,000
Minimum investment: $326,000
Maximum investment: $975,000

Can I start a Wingstop franchise?

It all depends on your location, or your willingness to follow the money. Single-outlet investors must live in the area where their store is located, so you may need to move if there are no new Wingstop opportunities near you. You will also need deep pockets. The brand requires a minimum net worth of $1,200,000 and liquid capital of $600,000 or more, with these figure rising for investors seeking more than one unit. Wingstop strongly recommend, but do not require the owner to personally manage the restaurant. You could buy into this franchise as a passive investor and hire a general manager to cover the daily grill.

How much does a Wingstop franchise cost?

Depending on location, the size of your restaurant, the size of your sales team, and many other variable cost factors, opening a new Wingstop franchise can cost from $326,000 up to $975,000.

After opening, you can expect to pay the usual range of ongoing fees and charges, including:

Royalty fee: 6% of gross sales
Advertising fund: 4% of gross sales
Local advertising: zero
Non-reporting fee: $250
Website maintenance fee: $25 per month
Supplemental training: Up to $1,000 per trainer, plus expenses

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Estimated key costs to open a Wingstop franchise (new restaurant):

Key Costs Guide	Low	High
Franchise fee	$10,000	$10,000
Franchise fee	$20,000	$20,000
Security deposits	$0	$10,000
Store lease	$Varies	$Varies
Store build-out and improvements	$155,000	$570,000
Furniture and equipment	$56,000	$147,000
Décor package	12,000	$32,000
Signage	$4,000	$39,000

Are Wingstop franchises profitable?

Yes. According to external research, the average initial investment to open a new Wingstop restaurant is $631,695 and the average annual sales per outlet are $1,460,459. Wingstop outlets generate an average net profit margin of 27% ($394,324 p.a), which indicates that you may recoup the typical initial investment in less than two years – a remarkable result for the highly competitive fast-food sector.

What is the failure rate for a Wingstop franchise?

Very low. In the period 2019 through 2021, not a single Wingstop restaurant closed. The chain added more than 100 new outlets every year, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why should you start a Wingstop franchise?

Strong growth, excellent profits, modest ‘buy-in’ price, and an incredibly fast return on investment are major reasons for considering a Wingstop franchise. Add the possibility of light-touch ownership, an ardent fan base, and America’s unquenchable love for all things BBQ, and you have a highly potent opportunity. The only drawbacks are the high net worth and liquidity requirements. If you can get past those, this is a franchise to take seriously.

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What are the franchise territory policies for Wingstop?

Wingstop awards their franchisees competitive protection in a trade zone around the restaurant. However, the scope of this protection can be quite complicated: Wingstop promise not to grant a franchise for another restaurant in this zone, and except for high-density population centers, each restaurant’s trade zone will consist of the area inside a radius extending outward from the outlet’s front door. The size of the radius will depend on population density, drive times, and similar factors. There is no set minimum or maximum radius.

What franchise resources does Wingstop offer?

Wingstop provides comprehensive support to their franchisees. Available resources include:

Opening support: Wingstop offers extensive introductory and ongoing training to franchisees, helping them to identify suitable real estate, oversee restaurant construction, and manage their store.
Technology support: The company has invested in the latest ecommerce and take-out food delivery technology, allowing customers to order online via the Wingstop app. This is convenient to customers and promotes growth, but it also means franchisees need fewer employees, thereby reducing costs.
Training: Wingstop provides intensive training for new owners, with classes lasting 17 consecutive days with at least one day off each week. Training hours are split between classroom theory and on-the-job practical training in Wingstop restaurants closest to your franchise area.
Marketing plans: The chain has an experienced marketing and advertising team to help its franchisees promote their businesses. Franchisees can leverage the brand’s popularity via national media, social marketing, promotional tools, email marketing, and personalized local restaurant advertising programs.
Third-party financing: Wingstop provide limited financial support for investors seeking franchise funding to cover costs such as the franchise fee, startup costs, and payroll. Alternatively, you could work with the many independent funders who provide business loans to franchise operators.

What is the process for starting a Wingstop franchise?

It starts with an application. You can begin the process here. After qualification, and assuming you have completed your financial homework and you still like what you see, you will be required to make an initial investment and then begin the Wingstop training program.

Secure franchise funding with Swoop

Starting a new franchise can be an exciting opportunity, but it’s easy to get lost in a maze of business loan applications that can turn funding your new chicken restaurant into a bone of contention. Instead, cut out the hassle and cut to the chase. Swoop has the best lenders for the best franchises across the US. Just tell us what you need and leave the rest to us.

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Written by

Chris Godfrey

Chris is a freelance copywriter and content creator. He has been active in the marketing, advertising, and publishing industries for more than twenty-five years. Writing for Wells Fargo Bank, Visa, Experian, Ebay, Flywire, insurers and pension funds, his words have appeared online and in print to inform, entertain and explain the complex world of US consumer and business finance.

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Wingstop: https://www.wingstop.com

Profitability: https://sharpsheets.io/blog/wingstop-franchise-costs-profits/

Failure rate: https://drfranchises.com/wingstop-franchise-cost-salary-profit/

Independent funders: https://swoopfunding.com/us/blog/funding-your-franchise-a-guide-for-franchisees/

Application form: https://www.wingstop.com

Franchise funding: https://swoopfunding.com/us/blog/funding-your-franchise-a-guide-for-franchisees/